Lighter with a lock-off switch

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a lighter with a lock-off switch. Since the lighter in the art has not been provided with a lock-off switch limiting the operation of the actuator, the safety is lower. The lighter according to the present invention comprises a tank, a piezoelectric device in the tank, an outlet device, and a windshield above the tank, wherein said actuator is provided with a lock-off device comprising a button pivotally arranged in the chamber of the actuator and a return spring which is located between the actuator and the button. According to the present invention, the safety of the lighter is improved and the potential safety hazard due to an unintentional operation is eliminated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighter, and more particularly to a lighter with a lock-off switch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] A lighter commonly used at present is an electric igniter using combustible gas, such as butane gas and natural gas, as a fuel. In everyday life, such igniter has been widely used in many cases where an ignition is required. It can create a flame usually by pressing the operative actuator directly by the fingers and permitting the piezoelectric block in a piezoelectric device to spark so as to ignite the combustible gas. In case that the lighter is not provided with a lock-off switch (or a safety device), the operation of the actuator is not restricted, so that an unintentional operation of the actuator, such as an error operation, an operation by the infant, or some unintentional collision by a hard thing acting on the actuator, can easily ignite the lighter, which will hurt the infant or damage the public safety. In addition, if an external force unintentionally acts on the actuator, although the piezoelectric block can not be moved, the outlet valve will be opened, and then the combustible gas is leaked off, so that there is a potential risk due to the leaking of the combustible gas. Therefore, some countries and territories have prohibited or will prohibit the producing and selling of the lighter without a lock-off switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present invention is to overcome the technical defects mentioned above, and to provide a lighter provided with a lock-off switch which prevents the actuator of the lighter from being turned on directly, so as to avoid the above-mentioned potential hazard. The lighter of the present invention provides not only a higher ignition efficiency, but also higher safety.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a lighter which comprises a tank, a piezoelectric device in the tank, an outlet device, and a windshield above the tank wherein the piezoelectric device comprises a piezoelectric block and an actuator, and the outlet device comprises an outlet valve and an lever, which are assembled together in a conventional manner. The lighter is characterized in that said actuator is provided with a lock-off device of a lever mechanism type coupled therewith, and the lock-off switch comprises a button and a return spring. The upper end of the button is disposed on the surface of the actuator, and its lower end is placed in the tank in the locking state. The return spring is located between the actuator and the button. Since the button is disposed on the actuator, the lower end of the button abuts against the inner wall of the tank in the locking state so as to prevent the actuator from being turned on, which then has a locking effect on the actuator and make it difficult to turn the actuator. Only after the button has been pushed in the counter clockwise direction to cause the lower end thereof to disengage from the tank and the actuator is subsequently turned in the clockwise direction, the piezoelectric block can spark and ignite the combustible gas so as to create a flame. After the above operation, the return spring causes the button to be restored.

[0005] According to one aspect of the lighter with a lock-off switch of the present invention, the button is substantially of an umbrella-shape, which is pivotally arranged in the chamber of the actuator. The pivotal arrangement can be achieved by a rotation shaft, or by fitting two projections provided on the opposed sides of the button center into the recesses in the actuator or by other equivalent arrangements, so as to make the pressing of the button flexible. Therefore, the button forms a lever member, which can achieve the locking effect by the lever system. One end of the button is adapted to be operated, and the other end thereof is adapted to lock the lighter in position so as to prevent the actuator form being operated. Further, the button feels well and its configuration is aesthetic.

[0006] According to the other aspect of the lighter with a lock-off switch of the present invention, the return spring vertically surrounds the positioning pin of the actuator and is oriented in position reliably. After finishing the operation of the ignition, the button can return to its initial position automatically and can be restored to the locking state under the force of the spring.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lower cover is provided at the bottom of the tank so as to ensure the tank to be sealed efficiently.

[0008] According to the invention, since the actuator has been provided with a lock-off switch cooperating with it, if the button is not pressed, it is impossible to turn the actuator, so as to overcome the above problems of the prior art, improve the safety and prevent unintentional error operation.

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the general configure of the lighter according to the present invention,

[0011] FIG.2 is a schematic view showing the lighter in its locking position according to the invention,

[0012] FIG.3 is a schematic view showing the lighter in its operating position according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighter of the present invention comprises a tank 12, a piezoelectric device 14 in the tank 12, an outlet device 15 and a windshield 4 thereabove, and an inner shield 5 in the windshield 4, wherein the outlet device 15 comprises an outlet valve 1 and an lever 3, the piezoelectric device 14 comprises a piezoelectric block 10 and an actuator 6, and a top cover 7 is provided at the upper portion of the actuator 6, which are all assembled together in a conventional manner. While pressing down the actuator 6, the lever 3 opens the outlet valve 1, and then the piezoelectric block 10 spark so as to ignite the gas. A regulator ring 2 for adjusting the flame is provided on the outlet device 15. The windshield 4 is adapted to shield the flame from the wind, and the inner shield 5 is adapted to isolate the flame. The actuator 6 with a button 9 is provided with an step therein, on which a positioning pin is provided. The button 9 is substantially of an umbrella-shape, which upper end is of a semi-sphere shape and is positioned on the surface of the actuator 6, and which lower end is placed in the tank in the locking position and disengages from the tank in the igniting position. A return spring 8 is located between the actuator 6 and the button 9 and vertically surrounds the positioning pin. With this arrangement, the button 9 can be restored to its initial position automatically. In addition, the left side of the actuator 6 contacting with the button 9 is substantially of a circle arc shape, which can facilitate to depress the button 9. The button 9 can be supported on the actuator 6 pivotally by a rotation axis, about which the button 9 can pivot.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, in the locking position, since the lower end of the button 9 is blocked by the inner wall of the tank 12, the actuator 6 can not be rotated while turning it directly by the finger, so as to have a locking effect on the actuator and then avoid the danger due to an error operation or the playing of infant.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, according to the lever system, when a force is applied on the upper end of the button 9 by a finger, the lower end of the button 9 disengages from the tank 12 naturally, and then the actuator 6 can be turned, so that the lighter can generate a flame immediately. While releasing the finger, the actuator 6 returns and the button 9 is restored to its locking position under the return force of the return spring simultaneously.

[0016] The present invention includes, but not exclusively, the embodiment described above, various modification and variations limiting the operation of the actuator by means of a control member by lever system will fall into the protection scope of the present invention. For example, the control member may be a straight bar, a curved bar or an equivalent component of other shape, and its material may be plastic or metal. 

1. A lighter with a lock-off switch, comprising a tank (12), a piezoelectric device (14) in the tank, an outlet device (15), and a windshield (4) above the tank, wherein the piezoelectric device (14) comprises a piezoelectric block (10) and an actuator (6), and the outlet device (15) comprises an outlet valve (1) and an lever (3), characterized in that said actuator (6) is provided with a lock-off device comprising a button (9) and a return spring (8), the return spring (8) is located between the actuator (6) and the button (9), the upper end of the button (9) is positioned on the surface of the actuator, and its lower end is placed in the tank (12).
 2. A lighter with a lock-off switch according to claim 1, wherein the button (9) is substantially of an umbrella-shape, which is pivotally arranged in the chamber of the actuator (6).
 3. A lighter with a lock-off switch according to claim 1, wherein the return spring (8) vertically surrounds the positioning pin of said actuator (6)
 4. A lighter with a lock-off switch according to claim 1, wherein a lower cover (13) is provided at the bottom of the tank (12). 